Some soreness or tenderness is normal after dental treatment. Pain should generally become easier to manage as you heal.

Follow any instructions given specifically to you by your dentist. The information below is for adults and does not replace advice from your physician, pharmacist, or dentist.

For mild pain

Take one of the following, if it is safe for you:

• Ibuprofen 400 mg every 6 hours as needed
  OR

• Acetaminophen 500 mg every 6 hours as needed

Take ibuprofen with food and water.

For more discomfort

If our dentist has told you that both medicines are safe for you, you may take:

Ibuprofen 400 mg plus acetaminophen 500 mg together every 6 hours as needed.

The two medicines work differently and may provide better relief when taken together.

Use the lowest amount that controls your discomfort. Stop taking pain medicine when you no longer need it.

Daily limits

Unless a doctor or dentist has given you different instructions:

• Do not take more than 2,400 mg of ibuprofen in 24 hours

• Do not take more than 3,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours

• Count acetaminophen from all medicines you take

Acetaminophen may also be listed as APAP and is found in many cold, flu, sleep, and prescription pain medicines. Do not take more than one acetaminophen-containing product unless a healthcare professional has confirmed that it is safe.

Do not combine ibuprofen with other anti-inflammatory pain medicines such as naproxen (Aleve) unless directed by a healthcare professional.

Check before taking ibuprofen

Do not take ibuprofen unless a physician, pharmacist, or dentist says it is safe if you:

• Have kidney disease

• Have a history of stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding

• Take a blood thinner or certain antiplatelet medicines

• Have been told to avoid aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines

• Have an allergy or serious reaction to ibuprofen, aspirin, or other NSAIDs

• Have certain heart conditions or uncontrolled high blood pressure

• Are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding

Do not use ibuprofen at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later unless specifically directed by your healthcare professional.

Check before taking acetaminophen

Do not take acetaminophen unless a physician, pharmacist, or dentist says it is safe if you:

• Have liver disease

• Regularly drink three or more alcoholic beverages per day

• Take another medication containing acetaminophen or APAP

• Have previously had an allergic or serious reaction to acetaminophen

Avoid alcohol while taking pain medicine.

Prescription medication

Take prescription medication only as directed. Do not take additional acetaminophen if your prescription already contains acetaminophen or APAP unless your dentist, physician, or pharmacist specifically tells you to do so.

Prescription pain medicine may cause sleepiness or slower reaction time. Do not drive, operate machinery, drink alcohol, or combine it with sedatives unless your prescribing clinician says it is safe.

Call our office

Contact Eusebio Dental if:

• Pain is severe or is not controlled by the recommended medicine

• Pain becomes significantly worse after initially improving

• Swelling continues to increase

• You develop fever, pus, a foul taste, or other signs of infection

• You have questions about which medication is safe for you

Call 911 for trouble breathing, difficulty swallowing, rapidly spreading swelling, chest pain, fainting, or signs of a serious allergic reaction.

Important

These instructions are intended for adults. Do not use these doses for children or adolescents unless a dentist, physician, or pharmacist provides instructions based on the patient’s age and weight.